Hockey U18 Asia Cup 2026: Captain Ketan's hat-trick fires India to 13-0 rout of Kazakhstan
Synopsis
India's junior men's hockey team didn't just win their U-18 Asia Cup 2026 opener — they demolished Kazakhstan 13-0, with captain Ketan Kushwaha's hat-trick headlining a display where five different players scored braces. It is a statement of depth and intent from a side that now faces hosts Japan on 31 May.
Key Takeaways
India beat Kazakhstan 13-0 in their U-18 Asia Cup 2026 Pool A opener in Kakamigahara on 29 May 2026 .
Captain Ketan Kushwaha scored a hat-trick to lead the side from the front.
Prahalad Rajbhar , Ashish Tani Purti , Ansh Bahutra , and Shahrukh Ali each registered a brace.
India led 6-0 at half-time and 11-0 after the third quarter, with four third-quarter goals coming from penalty corners.
India face hosts Japan next on 31 May in their second Pool A fixture.
India's junior men's hockey team launched their U-18 Asia Cup 2026 campaign in commanding fashion, thrashing Kazakhstan 13-0 in Pool A at Kakamigahara on Friday, 29 May 2026. Captain Ketan Kushwaha led by example with a hat-trick, while four other players registered braces in what was a near-flawless team performance.
First Half: India Establish Dominance Early
Shahrukh Ali broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with a thunderous strike from inside the circle, and Prahalad Rajbhar doubled the advantage just two minutes later. Captain Kushwaha added a third in the 18th minute, finishing from close range after India won possession high up the pitch, before Gazee Khan extended the lead to 4-0 in the 20th minute.
India refused to relent before the interval. Shahrukh completed his brace with a clinical finish in the 29th minute, and Ashish Tani Purti converted a penalty corner a minute later to send India into the break with a commanding 6-0 lead.
Third Quarter: The Penalty Corner Blitz
The third quarter proved the most prolific, with four of India's five goals in that period coming via penalty corners. Ansh Bahutra converted twice — in the 31st and 44th minutes — while Purti also completed his brace. In the final minute of the quarter, Kushwaha struck twice in quick succession, including one from a penalty corner, to complete his hat-trick and push the score to 11-0.
Final Quarter: India Round Off in Style
Akash Deep tapped into an open goal in the 47th minute, and Rajbhar scored his second of the day in the 51st minute to seal a resounding 13-0 final scoreline. India's defensive unit was equally impressive, keeping a clean sheet throughout.
Scorers and What's Next
The goals were shared across the squad — Ketan Kushwaha (3), Prahalad Rajbhar (2), Ashish Tani Purti (2), Ansh Bahutra (2), Shahrukh Ali (2), Gazee Khan (1), and Akash Deep (1). The result reflects India's depth and clinical finishing across all four quarters. India will next face hosts Japan on 31 May in what is expected to be a sterner test of their tournament credentials.
Point of View
But the more significant detail is how the goals were distributed — seven different players on the scoresheet signals genuine squad depth, not just individual brilliance. India's penalty corner conversion in the third quarter was particularly sharp, an area that has historically been a weakness at junior level. The real test arrives on 31 May against hosts Japan, who will be better organised and playing in front of home support. How India manage that pressure will say far more about their title credentials than this opener did.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of India vs Kazakhstan in the U-18 Asia Cup 2026?
India defeated Kazakhstan 13-0 in their Pool A opener at the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 in Kakamigahara on 29 May 2026. It was a dominant performance across all four quarters.
Who scored for India in the 13-0 win over Kazakhstan?
Captain Ketan Kushwaha scored a hat-trick, while Prahalad Rajbhar, Ashish Tani Purti, Ansh Bahutra, and Shahrukh Ali each scored twice. Gazee Khan and Akash Deep also got on the scoresheet.
When and where is India's next U-18 Asia Cup 2026 match?
India face hosts Japan on 31 May 2026, continuing their Pool A campaign at Kakamigahara. It is expected to be a significantly tougher contest than the Kazakhstan opener.
What is the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 and why does it matter?
The U-18 Asia Cup is the premier continental tournament for junior men's hockey in Asia, serving as a key qualifier pathway and development platform for future senior internationals. A strong showing here builds momentum for India's junior programme ahead of global age-group events.
How did India perform in each quarter against Kazakhstan?
India scored twice in the first quarter, four times in the second to lead 6-0 at half-time, five more in the third quarter to make it 11-0, and added two further goals in the final quarter to complete a 13-0 victory.
